India wants free, fair, inclusive election in Bd: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said India wants a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the Secretariat. Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said at the meeting, they discussed the ongoing projects taken under the Indian Line of Credit and the procurement of buses and trucks from India.

Asked whether India wants the continuation of the current government, he said, “If the country’s people don’t vote for us, how India will ensure our party’s victory. We won’t sit idle thinking that India wants us as no foreign country has any scope to interfere in the election. I don’t think India has ever interfered in our internal issues.”

The ruling party leader also MPs Abdur Rahman Bodi and Amanur Rahman Khan Rana will not be given party nomination for contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections. “The party has decided to give the nomination to Bodi’s wife for Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhia-Teknaf) constituency while Rana’s father Ataur Rahman for Tangail-3 (Ghatail) parliamentary seat,” he said.About finalising the party nomination, Quader said it has already been finalised and now discussion is going on with the alliance partners.He said the list of the party candidates will be published by November 24-25.

Referring to the EC secretary’s comment about BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s participation in taking interview of their party candidates through videoconferencing, the AL general secretary said, “The EC can do it as per the RPO but we seek justice to people as to how a fugitive convict can take part in the election process and we’ll go to the court, if needed.”

On Monday, Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed said the Commission has nothing to do with BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s participation in taking interview of their party candidates through videoconferencing.Joining the nomination board through Skype is a cybercrime and the government is looking into the matter, Quader said.Asked what they will do if Jatiya Party does not join the ruling party-led alliance, he said they have taken preparations considering all aspects.